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Nevada SNAP-Ed Project Helps Teach Families About Reducing Kids’ Sugar Intake

Nevada SNAP-Ed Project Helps Teach Families About Reducing Kids’ Sugar Intake

by | Mar 2, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Kids Drinking Soda

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, consuming too much sugar can increase the risk for health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. For many children, a single can of soda contains more than their daily recommended amount of sugar, yet nearly two-thirds of kids in the United States drink soda or another sugary drink each day.

In response to this issue, the University of Nevada, Reno, started the Rethink Your Drink Nevada project to “promote healthy beverage choices and reduce the intake of sugary drinks.” Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) grant program, Rethink Your Drink has created a range of resources, from brochures to healthy recipes, to teach families about the risks associated with consuming too much sugar and empower them to make healthier choices.

In addition, Rethink Your Drink also provides dental and medical offices with a free toolkit of resources they can use to help educate patients and their families about this issue. The toolkit, which contains posters, handouts, and stickers in both English and Spanish, was distributed to more than 600 healthcare professionals in more than 200 offices in 2020 alone, and offices have continued to receive new materials regularly.

This outreach program has already begun to show success: According to USDA, “survey results show that use of the toolkit leads to more patient education on sugary drinks,” with 65 percent of SNAP households reporting that a medical or dental professional had talked with them or their child about sugary drinks.

To learn more about Rethink Your Drink Nevada, visit the program’s website at https://rethinkyourdrinknevada.com/.

To read about other successful SNAP-Ed projects, visit USDA’s website at https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/success-stories.

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Housing Trust Fund to receive estimated $739.6 million

Housing Trust Fund to receive estimated $739.6 million

by | Feb 23, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Houses over money

Housing Trust Fund to receive estimated $739.6 million
Recent data submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission indicates the national Housing Trust Fund (HTF) will receive an estimated $739.6 million in 2022.

The estimate, based on 10-K forms recently submitted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, would be an increase from the $689.7 million in 2021.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “HTF funds may be used for the production or preservation of affordable housing through the acquisition, new construction, reconstruction, and/or rehabilitation of non-luxury housing with suitable amenities.” Funds are distributed as block grants to states using a formula based on four factors that only consider renter household needs.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is expected to announce total amounts available for the HTF in March.

Fannie Mae’s 10-K can be found at https://www.fanniemae.com/media/42821/display.

Freddie Mac’s 10-K can be found at http://www.freddiemac.com/investors/financials/pdf/10k_021022.pdf.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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New Report Provides Detailed Data on Beneficiaries Who Are Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid

by | Feb 17, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Data Book

Dual-eligible beneficiaries, or individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits because of their income level and age or disability status, can face a range of challenges in navigating and coordinating care through two separate systems. This population also experiences worse health outcomes, on average, as well as higher healthcare expenditures than non-dual beneficiaries, leading to concerns that those barriers to care are increasing costs while producing poor results.

As part of an ongoing project to help address these issues by creating “a common understanding” of the dual-eligible population, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission (MACPAC) recently released a data book containing detailed information about the 12.2 million dual-eligible beneficiaries in the United States.

In addition to providing an overview of the Medicare and Medicaid programs for dual-eligible beneficiaries, the new report also provides detailed breakdowns of this population along a range of characteristics, including:

  • Demographics and personal characteristics, such as age, income, education, and residence.
  • Program eligibility, enrollment, and utilization.
  • Expenditures and healthcare spending.
  • Health outcomes, including chronic condition diagnoses as well as self-reported health status.

For more information, you can read the full report here.

To learn about how Econometrica is helping States access and use Medicare data to improve care coordination and support for their dual-eligible beneficiaries, visit our State Data Resource Center project page.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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CDC Provides Guidance on Talking With Parents About COVID-19 Vaccination

by | Feb 9, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

VaccineShotPeopleAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges everyone ages 5 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible. More than 543 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been given in the United States through February 7, 2022, according to CDC.

Despite the safety of the vaccines, misinformation remains a problem nationwide. CDC provides recommendations for providers on how to answer questions from parents and caregivers about COVID-19 vaccines. Providers remain the most trusted source of information about vaccines.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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Small Business Pulse Survey Completes Phase 7

by | Feb 1, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

CENSUS Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau has released the latest data collected through its Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS), a multi-phasal effort which measures how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted small businesses across the country. The most recent phase of this study concluded on January 16, 2022.

Beginning in April 2020, SBPS measures the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across a number of variables, including operating revenues and finances, employee retention and scheduling, changes in operations since March 2020, and measures implemented to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19 among employees, such as vaccination and testing requirements. Past surveys have asked about the implementation of curbside services, remote work, and loans and other assistance, among others. Impact is measured through self-reported metrics; the Phase 7 questionnaire can be found at https://portal.census.gov/pulse/data/downloads/small-business-pulse-survey-questionnaire_11_15_2021.pdf.

The Census Bureau has made the data collected across all seven phases of the study available on its website at https://portal.census.gov/pulse/data/, allowing for comparisons of responses over time. As of January 16, an average of 23.3 percent of businesses reported a large negative effect on business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a marked decrease from the original average of 51.4 percent reported the first week of the study (covering April 26 to May 2, 2020). SBPS has further tracked difficulties and delays with suppliers both domestic and foreign since August 2020, shining a light on current trends for businesses and potential pain points in the coming months.

Phase 8 of the survey is tentatively planned to begin in February 2022. Further information on the SBPS may be found at https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/small-business-pulse-survey.html.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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A Fresh New Year

by | Jan 13, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Health Diet

As we ring in the new year, many of us are thinking about how we would like to better ourselves in 2022—and at the top of many people’s lists is a happier, healthier lifestyle. Better physical fitness, healthier diets, and weight loss frequently top surveys asking Americans about their New Year’s resolutions, and 2022 is no different. But getting started can be daunting, especially for those who may not have had access to a variety of fresh produce in the past (or for picky eaters looking to branch out to something new!).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Connection website is a great resource for anyone searching for guidance on the fruits and vegetables available throughout the winter months. In addition to their Seasonal Produce Guide, SNAP-Ed provides easy-to-make, nutritional Every Day and Seasonal Recipes. These recipes range from smoothies and salads in summer to warm stews and pot pies to chase away the winter cold. With these resources at hand, starting 2022 off on the right foot will be a snap.

More information about SNAP-Ed can be found on the main web page, located at https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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